Imaging associations DIG and PIMA merge!By
Mike Tomkins(Friday, July 27, 2001 - 17:18 EDT)Newly created imaging industry group is the world's largest...Two imaging industry associations, the Digital Imaging Group (DIG) and Photographic and Imaging Manufacturers Association (PIMA) have merged to form a new entity, a press release announces. Dubbed the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), the new body is described as "world's largest imaging industry group dedicated to industry growth, leadership and open standards", and consists of more than 90 member companies.

The merger is effective immediately, and the I3A has appointed two co-executive directors, Lisa Walker and Michael Nier (seen above). The body has set its goal as "developing and promoting the adoption of open industry standards ... addressing environmental issues and ... providing a voice for the industry that will ultimately benefit all users".

The merger will be celebrated on September 25th at the fifth annual Spotlight Reception, alongside Seybold San Francisco which runs from September 24th to 28th. The I3A will also have a booth at the show...

The merger was first announced during the PMA 2001 show in Orlando, Florida last February, and was scheduled to be complete by July 1st. The I3A website referred to in the press release below has been registered, but is not yet online.
Source:
International Imaging Industry Association

Original Source Press Release:

Digital Imaging Group and Photographic and Imaging Manufacturers Association Merge to Form International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)

New association dedicated to industry growth and leadership

Harrison, NY, July 25, 2001 - The Digital Imaging Group (DIG) and the Photographic and Imaging Manufacturers Association (PIMA) announced today the completion of their merger to create the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A), now the world's largest imaging industry group dedicated to industry growth, leadership and open standards.

The merger of leading associations in both the photographic and digital imaging industries benefits the imaging industry, member companies and consumers by enabling opportunity for member collaboration on initiatives designed to lower barriers to market growth. The more than ninety I3A member companies include virtually all imaging industry leaders, giving it the necessary critical mass to achieve this goal.

"In today's environment of convergence and consolidation, partnerships are essential to success, both for the associations and the members they serve. Together as I3A, the new association provides the premier forum for industry collaboration worldwide," said Lisa Walker, I3A co-executive director, and chief marketing officer. "It makes perfect sense for the two associations to go forward as one."

The merger is effective immediately and I3A's leadership will include executives from the two former organizations, Lisa Walker and Michael Nier. I3A's mission is to drive market growth by enabling new markets and opportunities for member companies that will ultimately benefit consumers and end-users. The new association will be committed to developing and promoting the adoption of open industry standards, and to providing a voice for the industry.

"Both digital and photographic imaging products serve the same customer need," said Michael Nier, I3A co-executive director, and chief operating and administrative officer. "I3A is uniquely positioned to benefit users worldwide by uniting leading imaging industry companies that will develop the standards foundation for new and innovative imaging products and services."

To celebrate the merger, I3A will host the fifth annual Spotlight Reception in conjunction with the Seybold conference in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on September 25. To hear more about I3A, Seybold show attendees are also invited to visit the I3A booth in Association Alley from September 24-28.

About the International Imaging Industry Association

The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) is the largest imaging industry group worldwide, representing nearly all leading and emerging imaging companies. A not-for-profit association, I3A is dedicated to developing and promoting the adoption of open industry standards, to addressing environmental issues and to providing a voice for the industry that will ultimately benefit all users. With almost 60 years of combined imaging industry leadership, I3A is the product of the merger of the Digital Imaging Group (DIG) and the Photographic and Imaging Manufacturers Association (PIMA). Information about I3A can be found on the World Wide Web at www.digitalimaging.org and at www.pima.net pending the launch of www.i3a.org.